What do you need besides a green card to get legalized?

Question

I am an illegal alien and I married an American citizen What are the steps I have to go trugh so I can become a citizen? Do I have to get the green card before than anything? Or the visa?

Answer 1

Go to your local city hall I guess.

Answer 2

The green card is the evidence that you're now legal. You get that 'after' you've done all the other steps.

How you get legalized, from being illegal, depends on many factors, including how long you've been in the US, how old you were when you moved here, whether you've committed any other crimes, etc.

In 'most' cases you're going to have to leave the country before you can get a spouse visa to return. Then, once you are living here legally with your spouse for two years, you can apply for permanent resident status (a 'green card') After five years as a permanent resident you can apply for citizenship.

Richard  

Answer 3

yes you have to get the greencard first then in a couple of years you can apply for citizenship

Answer 4

You have to get the Residency (green card) first.  Depending how long you were "out of status", you may need to pay what is called an "Amnesty Fine".  After two years, you can apply for citizenship.

There are many laws that protect married couples and will not allow them to be separated by the State for immigration reasons.